AN ABINGDON pre-school is to close after attendance fell.

The voluntarily-run Hadland Pre-school, based at Hadland Road Community Centre, will shut at the end of term on Friday, December 17.

Three staff at the 24-year-old school look have been looking after up to 25 children aged between two and five, with the helop of four volunteer committee members.

But numbers have fallen to 15 children.

In May, inspectors Ofsted rated it inadequate, saying it needed to make significant improvements.

Parents were called to a meeting and told of the financial difficulties by the management committee. It then announced the closure.

Chairman Katherine Washington said: “The main reason why the pre-school is closing is the low number of children, which means the pre-school does not have enough money to run. We are very sad the pre-school has to close.

“We would like to pay tribute to everyone who has contributed to the running of Hadland Pre-school over the years, both as staff and volunteers.”

There are currently 16 pre-schools in Abingdon.

Deputy supervisor Tracey Rowe, who has been at the school for eight years, said: “We have accepted it is going to close and there is nothing we can do to save it.

"The community have been down every aisle and there is no way out. I'm really gutted, because it was a big part of my life and I have loved it.”

Parent Lisa Langford said she was mortified when she was told the school was under threat.

She said: “It is such a shame, especially as several of the pre-schools in Abingdon are full.”